© Shutterstock

The cross -

The Latin (also known as Western) cross is undoubtedly the most popular Christian symbol in the world. It is pretty universal among Christians, and has literal and metaphorical symbolism attached to it.

© Getty Images

The cross -

But the crucifix (where the image of Jesus is depicted on the cross) is not adopted by every Christian denomination. This is especially true for Protestants, who view the Catholic crucifix as an emphasis on Christ's death, instead of his resurrection.

© Shutterstock

The Russian Orthodox cross -

This cross has two extra crossbeams when compared to the Western cross. The top beam is where the sign "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews" was placed. The second is where Christ's arms were, and the bottom one is said to represent Christ's footrest.

© Getty Images

The Russian Orthodox cross -

The direction of the lower beam has to do with the faith of the two thieves who were crucified alongside Jesus. One (St. Dismas) went to heaven, and the other one (Gestas) went to hell.

© Getty Images

The ankh -

You probably associate the ankh with ancient Egypt, and indeed you are correct: it symbolized life. But then Christians adopted the symbol and started using it as well.

© Shutterstock

The ankh -

Its resemblance and meaning were associated with another Christian symbol: the staurogram. So it was an easy adaptation.

© Getty Images

The staurogram -

The staurogram, also known as the monogrammatic cross, symbolizes an abbreviation of the Greek word for cross, stauros. It is still used as a monogram of Christ to this day.

© Getty Images

The alpha and omega -

The alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They represent Jesus and God, as the beginning and the end.

© Shutterstock

The alpha and omega -

It is essentially a symbol for God's infiniteness. It is mentioned in Revelation 21:6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life."

© Shutterstock

The Chi Rho -

The symbol dates back to 312 CE, when during a Roman conflict between Maxentius and Constantine the soldiers of the latter appeared in battle bearing this symbol containing the Greek letters chi and rho.

© Shutterstock

The Chi Rho -

Legend has it that Jesus told Constantine he would be victorious if his soldiers wore the symbol, which actually contains the first two letters of "Christ" in Greek. The Chi Rho remains a Christian symbol to this day.

© Getty Images

The ichthys -

Ichthys means "fish" in Greek, but the letters themselves also form an acronym for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior."

© Getty Images

The ichthys -

The use of the two intersecting arcs that resemble a fish is widespread throughout the world (think bumper stickers). But this was once used as a covert sign for Christians to identify each other during times of persecution. It was commonly found in hidden places of worship, like catacombs.

© Getty Images

The triquetra -

The triquetra, also known as the Celtic knot, is commonly associated with paganism, but it has also been adopted by Christianity, especially during the Celtic revival of the 19th century.

© Shutterstock

The triquetra -

The triquetra symbolizes the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).

© Shutterstock

The dove -

The Holy Spirit represented as a dove appeared when pagan Frankish King Clovis was baptized a Christian. But this was not the first time the dove was used to represent the Holy Spirit.

© Getty Images

The dove -

It had already done so during the baptism of Jesus, as detailed in Matthew 3:16: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him." The dove is still regarded as a sign of goodness and purity.

© Getty Images

The Eye of Providence -

Also known as the All-Seeing Eye, it is a symbol many people associate with the Freemasons. But despite its use by Freemasonry, the roots of the Eye of Providence are Christian.

© Getty Images

The Eye of Providence -

Sirach 23:19 says that "the eyes of the Lord are 10,000 times brighter than the sun." And this image has been depicted in numerous Christian works of art, particularly during the Late Renaissance.

© Getty Images

The Eye of Providence -

An example includes the 1525 painting 'Supper at Emmaus' by the Italian painter Pontormo.

© Public Domain

The inverted cross -

Despite the popular association with the occult and Satanism, the inverted cross is actually a Christian symbol.

It is associated with the crucifixion of St. Peter, which was performed upside down in Rome.

© Shutterstock

The sand dollar -

Legend has it that this type of sea urchin was left behind by Jesus as an evangelization tool.

© Getty Images

The sand dollar -

The sand dollar's holes are associated with the wounds Christ suffered during the crucifixion. And their floral shape is said to resemble the Easter lily: a symbol for the Resurrection.

© Getty Images

Agnus Dei -

Agnus Dei is Latin for "Lamb of God." The lamb is associated with Jesus in some parts of the Bible, including John 1:29, which reads: "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, 'Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'"

© Getty Images

Agnus Dei -

An important reference is also made in Revelation 7:10: "And they cried out in a loud voice: 'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'"

© Getty Images

Gye Nyame -

This symbol is most popular in West Africa. Like several other Christian symbols, it has pagan roots.

© Shutterstock

Gye Nyame -

It was originally used to represent the god of the Akan people of Ghana, and then it grew to be adopted as a symbol of the Christian god.

© Shutterstock

The Ihs -

This ancient monogram for Jesus is an abbreviation of the first three letters of his name in Greek.

© Getty Images

The Ihs -

The Ihs can be traced back to the 1st century CE. 

Sources: (Grunge) (Learn Religions) 

© Getty Images